Shingle means



April 8, 1958 T. R. PATTERSON 2,829,607

SHINGLE MEANS Filed March a, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IFIEr .1. w

| H 20 m /A 2 20A INVENTOR ROBERT PATTERSON April 8, 1953 T. R. PATTERSON 2,829,607

SHINGLE MEANS Filed March 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIELB.

50 f" 50 TIER g FIEIZlE.

47 INVENTOR ROBERT PATTERSON MWWW SHlNGLE WANS Thomas Robert Patterson, Memphis, Tenn.

Application March 3, 1955, Serial No. 491,963

6 Claims. (Cl. 108-7) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in shingle means, both with respect to individual shingles and with respect to so-called strip shingles which embody a plurality of shingle elements.

More particularly the invention relates to the provision of new and novel integral flaps formed in the body of such shingle means, and particularly adapted for locking and effecting holding down of exposed portions of superposed shingle means against separation from the shingling after laying up so as to inhibit and prevent undesired exposure to weather of the surface covered by the shingling, as for example in extreme wind conditions and the like. The integral flaps are preferably formed by accurately slitting the body of the shingle means at a position predetermined relative to the body and such tab means as may extend therefrom, and serve not only to lock down superposed shingle means, but also materially to assist in the accurate positioning and placing of the superposed means relative to the subjacent means, greatly facilitating the laying up of roof covering shingling. T he present invention is adaptable not only for use with the fiat or substantially planar surfaces of a roof, but also in connection with the hips and ridges thereof.

The princi al object of the present invention is to provide shingle means for application to roof surfaces in substantially conventional patterns which include integral means for securing exposed tab portions of superposed shingle means against undesired separation under the influence of strong winds and similar forces.

A further object of the invention is to provide such means which are applicable for use with individual shingles.

A further object of the invention is to provide such means in combination with a strip shingle which comprises a plurality of shingle elements integrally interconnected.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a reversible strip shingle, lock down flaps formed integrally of the material of the strip shingle and adapted for effecting holding down the exposed tabs of a strip shingle in opposite positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide shingle means with means for accurately alining and positioning superposed shingle means relative to subjacent shingle means.

A further object of the invention is to provide shingle means adapted for use as hip and ridge shingles which include means for locking down the exposed tab of an overlying or superposed shingle means, substantially preventing separation of such hip and ridge shingles as under the influence of high winds; and

A further object of the invention is to generally im prove the design, construction and efiiciency of shingle means.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the tates Patent ice Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary face view of a portion of the device of Fig. 1, further illustrating the details of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a similarly enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of a shingle showing a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view on the scale of Fig. 1, illustrating the relationship of a plurality of strip shingles embodying the present invention laid up in a shingling covering and illustrating the use of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a face or plan view of a reversible strip shingle embodying the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary face view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the reversible shingle of Fig. 5, further illustrating details of the device.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view on the scale of Fig. 5 illustrating the relationship of a plurality of the strip shingles of Fig. 5 in use position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 illustrating the relationship of the parts with the strip shingles of Fig. 5 in position reversed relative to that shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a face view of an individual shingle embodying the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 of a modified form of individual shingle embodying the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a plurality of the shingles of Fig. 9 laid up as a roof covering; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a section of a roof showing a plurality of the shingles of Fig. 10 laid up in courses as a roof covering and with a plurality of the shingles of Fig. 9 laid up as hip and ridge shingle covering.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, it will be observed that the several embodiments of the present invention provide for the inclusion in individual shingles and in strip shingles of flaps formed integrally with and connected to material of the shingle means at a point intermediate the top and bottom edges of the shingle means, and with the flaps having free ends respectively being directed upwardly, that is, toward the top or uppermost edge of the shingle means when installed in use position.

it will further be observed that in each of the several embodiments the flaps are defined by slits which are cut into the body portion of the shingle when in use position, and which extend from a point adjacent to a free edge portion of the shingle which extends into exposed position beyond and below a superposed shingle means when laid up in substantially conventional manner in roof covering courses.

In Fig. 1 a square-butt pattern, strip shingle 15 of generally rectangular shape, is shown which is formed of any suitable shiugling material, preferably of flexible composite material. Strip shingle 15 comprises a body portion 16 which extends throughout the length of the strip shingle and which includes the uppermost edge of the strip shingle. The body portion forms that portion of the strip shingle, which, when the strip shingle is laid up as a roof covering, comprises the portion of the strip underlying the next superposed or subjacent shingle strip. Extending downwardly from body portion 16 are a plu rality of shingle tabs 17, which comprise, upon laying up of the shingle strip, the portions extending beyond and below the next superposed shingle means, as the exposed portions which are subject to the influence or the elements and weather. Each of the tabs 17 is defined by lateral free edges 19, the edges 19 of adjacent tabs 17 being spaced apart by cut-outs 21, and the opposite ends of strip being preferably respectively provided with half cut-outs 22 defining the endmost free edges 19. It will be understood that while the provision of the half cut-outs at the opposite ends of the strip is preferred, the strip may be formed, if desired, with a full cut-out similar to the cut-out 21 at one end, in which case the half cut-out at the opposite end is omitted.

It will be observed that the upper extremity of the respective cut-outs 21, 22 are in transverse alinement with the upper extremity of the respective shingle tabs 17, and thus define the line of junction between the shingle tabs and the body of the shingle, this line of junction being indicated on Fig. 1 by the dotted line A. The body portion 16 above the line of junction between the tabs 17 and body portion 16 is slitted as at to define a plurality of locking flaps 18 formed integrally of the material of the body portion.

In the preferred embodiment each of the intermediate cut-outs 21 has at least one of the slits 20 in communication therewith, the slits extending upwardly from the cut-outs into the body portion, thence laterally away from the cut-out in a portion parallel to and spaced from line A, and returning downwardly, preferably diagonally as indicated at 20A, toward the line of junction A, terminating substantially at the line of junction in an enlarged relief portion 23. Preferably at least one end of the strip shingle 15 is provided with a slit 20 which extends inwardly from the free edge or end of the body portion, the upwardly extending portion of the slit being obviated, and the endmost slit 20 extends similarly downwardly as at 20A to terminate substantially at the line of junction A in an enlarged relief portion 23 as already described.

The relief portions 23 are provided to prevent tearing of the shingle material when the lock flaps 18 are raised for the introduction of an edge portion of a superposed shingle means therebeneath. It thus will be seen that the locking flaps 18 are integrally connected with extending shingle tabs 17 substantially along the line of junction of the tabs with body portion 16, and that the locking flaps extend upwardly from the uppermost portion of the shingle tabs, terminating at a free edge which extends upwardly toward the body portion.

It will be seen that in the embodiment described each of the tabs is provided with at least one locking flap, and as best shown in Fig. 2, the flap defining slit extends upwardly from, and substantially comprises an extension of, one of the free edges 19 of the tab.

In some instances it is preferred to provide the tabs 17 with lock flaps adjacent their opposite edges, and in Fig. 3 a modified embodiment of the invention providing pairs of lock tabs adjacent the respective cutouts 21 is disclosed. In this embodiment the material of body 16 is slitted as at 24 upwardly from the cut-outs 21. The slit 24 branches laterally in opposite directions and each of the branches is extended downwardly, preferably diagonally as at 24A, to a point substantially on the line of junction between the tabs 17 and. body 16, termimating in enlarged relief portions 26 similar to the relief portions 23 heretofore described. It will be seen that the slitting 24- defines lock flaps 25 which are respectively integrally connected to adjacent shingle tabs 17.

As shown in Fig. 4 a strip shingle 15 of Fig. 1 may be laid up to produce a square butt shingle covering pattern, with the tabs 17 constituting the exposed portions of the shingles. As can readily be seen the lower edges of the superposed strip shingle 15 have been inserted beneath the lock flaps 18 of the subjacent strip. As the slits 20 terminate at the line of junction between the tabs 17 and the body 16 the lower edges of the tabs of the p posed strip may be moved into solid seating engagement with the terminal relief portions 23, and the superposed shingle is thus accurately and positively alined the. desired position, effecting full covering of body portion 16, leaving the precise exact extent of shingle tabs 17 exposed therebeyond. The successive shingle strips are secured in usual fashion as by nailing to the underlying supporting surface. It thus will be seen that the lock flaps 18 during laying up of the shingle covering serve as guides and position limiting means, enabling a substantial increase in the speed of laying up the roof covering by insuring the desired accuracy of positioning, and in addition the lock flaps 18 effectively serve to lock down the lower free edges of the superposed tabs 17, substantially preventing the separation of the tabs 17 from the underlying material under the influence of high Winds or other conditions.

In Fig. 5 a modified form of strip shingle 28 is shown, which is an elongated reversible strip shingle having a relatively elongated body portion 29 which is disposed as an intermediate portion of the strip shingle and extends preferably from end to end of the strip shingle. A plurality of shingle tabs 3d project away from one side of the body portion 29, and an additional plurality of shingle tabs 31 project oppositely from the opposite edge of body 29. As can readily be seen the shingle tabs 30 are preferably of a geometrical shape different from that of the tabs 31 so that strip shingles 28 may be selectively employed to produce variations of roof pattern. Preferably the strip shingle 28 is cut-out as at 32 to separate the shingle tabs 31' along the free edges 33, and preferably is provided with a full cut-out 32A at one end of the strip shingle 28 defining the opposite free edge 33 of one of the shingle tabs 31. it will be observed that in view of the provision of a full cut-out 32A at one end of the shingle strip, the opposite end is not cut-out, thus exemplifying one of the alternative embodiments suggested hereinabove with respect to strip shingle 15. The cut-outs 32, 32A extend substantially to the line of junction between the tabs 31 and body portion 29, this line of junction being indicated by the dotted line B on Fig. 5.

Body 29 adjacent junction line B, and also respective ly adjacent the cut-outs 32, 32A, is slitted as at 34 to provide slits defining locking flaps 35, which are respectively integrally connected to the shingle tabs 31 and project into body 29 beyond junction line B. The slits 34 may be formed similarly to the slits 24 described hereinabove with respect to strip shingles 15, or they may be directed into the material of body portion 29 as shown in Fig. 5 in which the slit includes a portion parallel to the junction line and spaced from the closed ends of cut-outs 32, 32A, and also includes a preferably diagonally directed portion 34A which terminates substantially on junction line B and is preferably provided with a relief portion similar to the relief portions 23 heretofore described.

Preferably the material of strip shingle 28 is provided with an enlarged cut-out 36 between the shingle tabs 30 defining the proximate free edges 37 of tabs 30. The strip shingle 28 at its opposite ends is provided with half cut-outs 36A defining the remote free edges 38 of tabs 30. It will be observed that the cut-outs 36, 36A extend into the material of strip shingle 28 and terminate substantially at the line of junction, indicated by the dotted line C, between tabs 30 and body portion 29. Additionally the cut-outs 36, 36A are so arranged as to form the tabs 30 of a desired geometrical shape, which, when laid up in courses (see Fig. 7), produces a modified hexagonal pattern. The cut-out 36 is of substantially the same size and shape as each of the tabs 30, thus exposing, when laid up, a portion of an underlying shingle means having a size and shape, reversely disposed, substantially equivalent to the size and shape of the tabs 30.

The body 29, adjacent junction line C, and also adjacent cut-outs 36, 36A, is additionally slit as at 39 to define a plurality of additional locking flaps 40. It will be seen that each of the slits 39 includes a portion parallel to and spaced from the junction line C, and preferably the slits 39 each terminates in an enlarged relief portion 41 similar to the relief portions 23 heretofore described. It will further be seen that preferably adjacent cut-out 36 the body is provided with a pair of the slits 39, and consequently with a pair of locking flaps 40, and that when -a strip shingle 2% is laid up adjacent to an additional strip shingle 25, two of the slits are similarly disposed in paired adjacency. Preferably each of the slits 39 terminates at a point substantially in alinement with the upper ends of free edges 37, 38. It will be observed that each of the locking flaps 40 is integrally connected to a tab 30 and projects into the body 29 beyond the junction line C.

In laying up strip shingles 28, if desired the tabs 30 may be selected as the exposed tab portions, in which case the body 29 and tabs 31 will provide the portions underlying superposed strip shingles, and when laid up as already mentioned the tabs 30 will produce a modified hexagonal covering pattern. As can be seen the laying up of strip shingles 28 is greatly facilitated in virtue of the integral locking flaps 4-0, and in the positioning of a superposed strip shingle 28 the lower ends of tabs 30 may be inserted beneath the locking flaps 40 of the underlying strip shingle, which thus provide for positively centering the tab relative to the underlying cut-outs 36 or 36A, and by a simple alinement of the lowermost edge of tabs 3%}? with the closed ends of cut-outs 36 or 36A which lie on junction line C a positive alinement of the superposed strip shingle in properly measured overlapping relationship with the underlying strip shingle is assured. The strip shingles after such positioning are successively fixed in position, and the locking flaps continue to function serving to hold down the distal ends of tabs 30 against separation from the underlying covering as under conditions of high wind or the like.

If desired, strip shingles 28 may be reversely positioned so as to project the tabs 31 as the exposed roof covering portions. It will be seen that the tabs 31 are similar to the tabs 17 of strip shingle 15, and when laid up provide a square butt pattern. The function of slits 34 and locking flaps 35 relative to the positioning and alinement of the strip shingles during mounting, and the additional function of the locking flaps in holding down the distal edges of the tabs, is similar to that already described with respect to the strip shingle 15' and need not be here repeated.

It will also be observed that while the strip shingle including the modified hexagonal tabs 30 is shown only as a reversible strip shingle, the reversible feature of the shingle is optional and a strip shingle embodying only tabs like the tabs 30 may be produced without departing herefrom.

in Fig. 9 an embodiment of the present invention. in an individual shingle is illustrated. 45 comprises a body portion as joined along a junction line, indicated by the dotted line D, to a single tab 47 which projects away from the body portion and is integrally connected thereto. Preferably the body portion is slit inwardly as at 48 from its free side edges 45 defining locking fiaps 50. It will be seen that the slits d8 are similar to the slitting heretofore described and include a portion substantially parallel with the junction line D, extendin into the body portion 46 spaced away from the junction line, and further includes a section 43A which terminates substantially on the junction line D and is preferably provided with an enlarged relief portion similar to the portion 23 heretofore described. it thus will be seen that in common with the embodiments already described the locking flaps 50 of the shingle 45 are integrally connected to the tab portion 47 and project into the body portion 46 beyond the line of junction D between the tab and the body portion. The shingle 45 is of the type which is particularly useful in effecting covering of hips and ridges in foot" construe tions as shown in Fig. 12.

An additional individual shingle 51 is shown in Fig. 10 which primarily differs from shingle in providing cutouts 52 along the edges of its projecting shingle tab portion 53, the shingle tab 53 being joined as along a junction line E shown as a dotted line in Fig. 10 to the body portion 54 of shingle 51. Body portion 54 is slit as at 55 substantially similar to the slits 48, slits 55 including a portion parallel to and spaced from the junction line B, and an additional section 55A preferably diagonally directed and terminating substantially on the junction line E. The slits 55, 55A thus define locking flaps 56. The shingles 51 are particularly useful in forming the main covering of a roof surface as shown in Fig. 12, the cutouts 52 providing spacing between adjacent tabs 53 enhancing the appearance of the roof covering laid up therefrom.

It can readily be seen that in laying up roof coverings of shingles 51 the tab 53 of a superposed shingle is inserted beneath the locking flaps 56 of underlying adjacent shingles 51, and the positioning of the superposed shingle, covering an exact and predetermined amount of the underlying shingle, is thus insured. The superposed shingles are successively fixed in position as by nailing, and the engaged locking flaps 56 continue to function serving to hold down the exposed end edge of tab 53. Similarly in laying up hips and ridges employing shingles 45 it will be seen that, as the shingles along a hip or ridge are laid up in alinement, each superposed shingle is engag-ed beneath the opposite edge-adjacent flaps 5-0 of the underlying shingle, insuring proper overlapping and serving to hold down the end edge of the superposed shingle adjacent the corners thereof. As shown in Fig. 11 the shingle 45 may also be used in laying up surface coverings, as for example siding and the like, in which the shingles are arranged in staggered relationship, and the opposite corners of respective superposed shingles are engaged by the locking flaps of a spaced pair of underlying shingles.

It will be understood that the various forms of slitting the body portions of shingle means to define locking flaps integrally connected with the tap portions and projecting into the body portion beyond the line of junction between the tabs and body portions as shown herein may be interchangeably used and may also be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A strip shingle comprising a body portion, tabs projecting from a side of said body portion, said shingle being cut out between said tabs to separate said tabs, the opposite free ends of the shingle being formed to provide a said out out separating the adjoining tabs of a plurality of said shingle when laid in end to end relation, and a locking flap formed adjacent to an uppermost margin of each said cutout separating said tabs, each of said locking flaps formed integral of a tab side and being defined by slits cut from the shingle body portion, and the free end of each said locking flap directed into the said shingle body portion beyond the line of junction between said tabs and said body portion.

2. A strip shingle comprising a body portion, tabs projecting from a side of said body portion, said shingle being cut out between said tabs to separate said tabs and said tabs spaced inwardly of opposite free side margins of the shingle body portion to provide a said out out separating the adjoining tabs of a plurality of said shingle when laid in end to end relation, the area of each said tab and each intervening space between said tabs being substantially equal, and a locking flap formed adjacent to each uppermost side margin of each said out out separating said tabs, each of said locking flaps formed integral of a tab side and being defined by slits cut from the shingle body portion and the free end of each said locking flap being 7 directed into said shingle body portion beyond the line of junction between said tabs and said body portion.

3. A strip shingle comprising a body portion, tabs projecting from a side of said body portion, said shingle being cut out between said tabs to separate said tabs, the opposide free ends of the shingle being formed to provide a said cut out separating the tabs of a plurality of said shingle when laid in end to end relation, and locking flaps formed adjacent to uppermost side margins of said cut outs separating said tabs, each of said locking flaps formed integral of a tab side and being defined by slits cut from the shingle body portion, and the free end of each said locking flap directed into the said shingle body portion beyond the line of junction between said tabs and said body portion.

4. A shingle covering comprising a plurality of similar shingles laid in parallel, overlying and underlying rela tionship courses, each of said shingles having a body portion, a plurality of tabs projecting from a margin of said body portion, said shingles being cut out between said tabs to separate said tabs, and the opposite free ends of the shingles being formed to provide a said out out separating the tabs of said shingles when laid in end to end relation, and a locking flap formed adjacent to an uppermost margin of each said out out separating said tabs, each of said locking flaps formed integral of a tab side and being defined by slits cut from the shingle body portion, and the free end of each said locking flap directed into the said shingle body portion beyond the line of junction between said tabs and said body portion, the shingles in each overlying course thereof being guided into lapped relation with the shingles of the underlying course by registering the bottom edges of the said tabs of each overlying shingle course under the said locking flaps formed from the said body portions of the shingles in the next underlying course of shingles.

5. A shingle covering comprising a plurality of similar shingles laid in parallel, overlying and underlying relationship courses, each of said shingles having a body portion, a plurality of tabs projecting from a side margin of said body portion, said shingles being cut out between said tabs to separate said tabs, the said tabs spaced inwardly of opposite free side margins of the shingle body portion to provide a said out out separating the tabs of said shingles when laid in end to end relation, the area of'each said tab and each intervening space between said tabs being substantially equal and a locking flap formed adjacent to each uppermost side margin of each said out out separab ing said tabs, each of said lOCklili a tab side and being defined by'siits cut from the shingle body portion and the free end of each said locking flap directed into said shingle body portion beyond the line of junction between said tab and said body portion, the shingles in each overlying course thereof being guided into lapped relation With the shingles of the underlying course by registering the lowermost side margins of the said tabs of each overlying shingle course under the said locking flaps formed from the said body portions of the shingles in the next underlying course.

6. A shingle covering comprising a pluraiity of simila' shingles laid in parallel, overlying and underlying relationship courses, each of said shingles having a body portion, a plurality of tabs projecting from a margin of said body portion, said shingles being cut out between said tabs to separate said tabs, the opposite free ends of the shingles being formed to provide a said out out separating the tabs of a plurality of said shingles when laid in end to end re lation, and locking flaps formed adjacent to uppermost side margins of said cut outs separating said tabs, each of said locking flaps formed integral of a tab side and being defined by slits cut from the shingle body portion, and the free end of each said locking flap directed into the said shingle body portion beyond the line or" junction between said tabs and said body portion, the shingles in each overlying course thereof being guided into lapped relation with the shingles of the underlying course by registering the bottom edges of the said tabs of each overiying shingle course under the said locking flaps formed from the said body portions of the shingles in the next underlying course of shingles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,488,447 Topping -1 Mar. 25, 1924 1,510,534 Abraham Oct. 7, 1924 1,567,538 Morgan Dec. 29, 1925 1,927,436 Fischer Sept. 19, 1933 

